Nellie Jean Kloster passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at the Powell Valley Care Center. She is finally Home in the arms of her Lord and Savior and no longer battling the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Nellie was born on March 14, 1925 at her home in Cottonwood, 5 miles west of Roberts, Montana, to Martha and Peter B. Gardetto. She was the youngest of their 5 children. Nellie attended grade school at Cottonwood School and graduated from Roberts High School in 1942.
She married Bob Kloster on November 10, 1943. They lived in Billings, Montana until 1961, moved to Bridger, Montana and then to Powell, Wyoming in 1963. Nellie worked as a secretary for many years, starting in Billings where she worked for Midland Implement Company and WyMont Tractor and Equipment Company. In Powell, Nellie worked for the Park County Extension Office and then for Wyoming Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for 21 years. She retired from DVR in 1995.
Nellie and Bob were parents of two children, Larry Kloster and Cheryl Ogren. She was preceeded in death by her husband Bob in 1990, her parents, a brother Jack Gardetto, two sisters, Katie Saugstad of Valley City, North Dakota, and Minnie Hanni of Virginia City, Montana. Nellie is survived by her son Larry (Linda) Kloster, daughter Cheryl Ogren, four grandchildren Ryan Kloster, Kyle (Carly) Kloster, Erik Ogren and Kelsey Ogren, and her sister Mary Hanni in Butte, Montana as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Nellie was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and enjoyed being involved with the Quilters of Hope and Faith Circle. She served and volunteered her time with the Powell Valley Health Care Auxiliary, the Homesteader Museum and Loaves and Fishes. She loved to bake and share her baked goods with others, she visited the sick and lonely at home and at the nursing homes. She loved her children and grandchildren and her many friends. She was devoted to her Lord, her church and her family.
Her funeral services will be held at Hope Lutheran Church at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 16, 2015. In lieu of flowers, Nellie had requested that memorials be made to Hope Lutheran Memorial Fund (588 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435), St. John’s Lutheran Home (3940 Rimrock Drive, Billings, MT 59102), or a charity of one’s choice.